Wellness and Substance Use Disorder Curriculum

AANA Wellness and Chemical Dependency in the Nurse Anesthesia Profession

Six online interactive learning courses available to purchase at AANA Learn.

Wellness and Substance Use Disorder (Chemical Dependency) Modules

To give you an idea of what the interactive learning modules that comprise the WCDNAP look like, we've included a screen shot example from each of the six modules below. As the leaner progresses through the narrated modules by clicking the arrows on each slide, many of the slides include interactive elements creating an engaged learning experience. See also WCDNAP Learner Outcomes.

Module 1: Health and Wellness: The Role and Responsibility of the Anesthesia Professional​​

Module 2 Stress: Understanding Causes and Consequences​

Module 3: Stressors Encountered in the Healthcare System and How to Cope More Effectively

Module 6: Understanding the Environment for Successful Building and Sustaining of a Personal Wellness Plan​

Faculty - Ideas and Additional Resources

Some ideas to accompany your curriculum and/or utilize the Wellness/Substance Use Disorder (Chemical Dependency) modules:
Timing – it’s never too early to start:

Assign one or more modules as an application prerequisite. Knowledge of the occupational risk for addiction before entry to nurse anesthesia school could potentially deter individuals who realize personal vulnerabilities. CE version can be used for nursing requirements.

Include the family in orientation – show Making Lemonade video, Wearing Masks segment, and/or module 4, “Risk and Exposure: The Signs, Symptoms, Pathophysiology and Co-morbidities of Substance Abuse." Viewing would be beneficial, and perhaps lifesaving, if loved ones were aware of the risk and the tools to identify abuse.

It is strongly recommended to provide awareness of the risk for substance use disorder as early as possible in nurse anesthesia program and also just before starting clinical.

Options to add the personal touch to the module content:

Assign completion outside of class time, say in conjunction with Professional Aspects or other curriculum. Combine with group discussion of the content during class time to enhance the learning through individualization and reflection.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) free online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses. Course divided into 13 units, each takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and allows uses to stop and restart the course as needed

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) free online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses. Course divided into 13 units, each takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and allows user to stop and restart the course as needed.